Senior Accountant

About the employer / working context

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is seeking a highly qualified Senior Accountant to be based at AfricaRice, Cotonou, Benin.

About AfricaRice
AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. It is also an autonomous intergovernmental association of African member countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Planning and Budget Manager, the Senior Accountant is responsible for the overall implementation of full cost recovery scheme and time reporting of the Center.
Specifically, the Senior Accountant will be in charge of the following key results areas (KRA’s):

Design and/or regularly update guidelines in the implementation of the Full Cost Recovery scheme of the Center;

Lead the monitoring and updating of cost drivers and keys to ensure balanced recovery of cost center expenditures;

Coordinate with Cost Center Heads the review and update of the strategy to improve the FCR system of the Center;

Analyze the implementation rate of full cost recovery and recommend solution for under/over recovery;

Keep updated on the CG guidelines on FCR and its implementation and disseminate such information to relevant staff;

Review the calculated service cost chargeable to projects, review the journal entry, and post in the general ledger;

Conduct training or information dissemination plan to provide better understanding of full cost recovery and its benefits;

Oversee the planning of the monthly time and cost allocation of staff against grants and coordinating results to the Senior Accountant on Grants;

Review variance analysis between standard and actual staff cost, evaluate the need to revise the rates, and recommend updated rates, if needed ;

Direct the preparation and submission of timesheet for staff and service cost allocation to grants;

Supervise preparation of variance report between the planned time allocation and actual time reported noting the reasons for the difference;

Review and post journal entry for accrual of leave balances;

In the absence of supervisor and as delegated, lead the Planning and Budget Unit in its day to day operations.

Job Qualifications & Skills / Selection Criteria

Qualifications/Selection Criteria
Education: Master’s degree in Business with a major in Accounting or Certified or Chartered
Accountant or with equivalent accountancy professional qualification

Work Experience: At least six (6) years of work experience in the field of accountancy, finance and/or administrative works at least two years (2) of which in a supervisory position
Key Competencies Required: Capacity to pay attention to details and accuracy, Capacity to plan and organize, Information and task monitoring, Problem analysis, judgment and problem solving.

The Ideal candidate must have: Appropriate knowledge of computer systems especially in Sunsystem software and good interpersonal and communication skills.

Language
The candidate should communicate fluently (orally and in writing) in English or French with a
good working knowledge of the other language.

Terms and Conditions
o This is a regionally recruited position.
o AfricaRice provides an attractive salary and benefits package and a collegial and gender‐
sensitive working environment.
o The initial appointment is for Two (02) years with the possibility for renewal.
Application procedure
Candidates should send an application (including a cover letter and a detailed CV with the
following information: Name, surname, gender, nationality, certificates obtained, professional
experience (stating clearly beginning and end dates of each experience: day, month, year),
language skills (French/English), and the names and addresses (including telephone / fax / email)
of three referees.
To apply for this position, please send your applications:
To: H.Zok@cgiar.org with the vacancy reference in subject: GSS/04/CS/2014/03
Or to the following address: Head, Human Resources Unit, AfricaRice, 01 B.P. 2031,
Cotonou, Benin Republic
Applications will be considered until Saturday, April 12, 2014.
AfricaRice is an equal opportunity employer. AfricaRice believes that staff diversity
promotes excellence in its operations and particularly welcomes applications from women
and developing countries.
AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
To learn more about AfricaRice, please visit our website at
www.AfricaRice.org